How long does it take to get a response?

[Sax270]

TFL sent me the letter asking for the explanation and I responded by email. How long do they take to respond? Will they respond by email with the outcome of their decision to prosecute or not? Or will they just send the court letter if they do prosecute? I've been anxiously waiting for their reply for a few days now.

 

[Fawkes Cat]

Welcome to the forum!

It can vary widely: recently we've heard of some railway companies responding on the day they got your email, but they are allowed up to a little more than six months (because that's how long they have to take you to court).

If you can tell us which train company it is then we might be able to make a better guess.

 

[Sax270]

Welcome to the forum!

It can vary widely: recently we've heard of some railway companies responding on the day they got your email, but they are allowed up to a little more than six months (because that's how long they have to take you to court).

If you can tell us which train company it is then we might be able to make a better guess.

Oh my bad, it's TFL.

 

[Fawkes Cat]

OK. Someone with more knowledge may be along shortly, but as it's TfL it may be slower rather than quicker.

I think that because TfL normally prosecute - so it seems to me that before they get back to you, they will want to check that they really have got a case that will stand up in court. If I'm right on that, then that means that they will take some time to do this.

 

[Sax270]

OK. Someone with more knowledge may be along shortly, but as it's TfL it may be slower rather than quicker.

I think that because TfL normally prosecute - so it seems to me that before they get back to you, they will want to check that they really have got a case that will stand up in court. If I'm right on that, then that means that they will take some time to do this.

Oh...well that's just great.

 

[skyhigh]

Oh...well that's just great.

If you wished to provide further details of what happened we'd be able to give a more informed response though.

 

[Hadders]

It normally takes a few weeks to get a reply from TfL. If they decide to prosecute you under the TfL Bylaws then this is normally done by sending a Single Justice Procedure Notice to you in the post.

TfL do seem to prosecute more often than National Rail companies, particularly where mis-use of Freedom Passes and Zip Oyster cards is involved.